A$AP ROCKY – PUNK ROCKY
A$AP Rocky returns with “Punk Rocky”, the first single from his upcoming album “Don’t Be Dumb” (out January 16), and it’s a surprising shift. The track leans into psychedelic rock territory with guitars that feel more indie than hip-hop, recalling the vibe of “Sundress” from his 2018 “Testing” album. Rocky co-wrote the song with Cristoforo Donadi (Ghost), Zach Fogarty, and Ging (formerly Frank Dukes), creating something that sets a new tone after eight years away from full-length albums.
Lyrically, Rocky channels heartbreak and disappointment through the lens of failed romance. He sings about trust issues and emotional isolation, with lines about crying into microphones and hiding in styrofoam cups. The song captures the feeling of thinking you found something real, only to discover it wasn’t mutual. Rocky’s delivery shifts between singing and rapping as he processes being “punch drunk in love” with a blackened eye to show for it.
The accompanying video, which Rocky co-directed with Folkert Verdoorn and Simon Becks, brings together an unexpected cast including Winona Ryder, Danny Elfman, and Thundercat. Ryder appears as a neighbour watching Rocky’s garage band rehearsal while wearing a Beavis and Butthead shirt and eating blackberries. The visual introduces five of the album’s six alter egos: GR1M (Rocky), RUGAHAND (Tommy Revenge), BABUSHKA BOI (Thoto), SHIRTHEAD (Williams twins), and DUMMY.
The Tim Burton influence runs throughout this era. Burton himself created the album’s cover art, featuring Rocky’s six signature personas, and Elfman (Burton’s frequent musical collaborator) contributed to the album’s production. Rocky told Billboard that when he played the album for Burton, the director was surprised by the diverse sound, saying he didn’t know Rocky made that kind of music.
“Don’t Be Dumb” promises contributions from Tyler, The Creator, Pharrell Williams, Mike Dean, Metro Boomin, the Alchemist, and Morrissey alongside Elfman.
